We all have a long road to walk. We have desires, dreams, destinations. We have hopes & goals. So we begin to map out a course for our lives. Some may map the logical routes; others might take the roads less traveled. However, we would do well to always hold our life map loosely. We may set our goals, lay out our courses, and map our lives, but when it’s all said & done, God is ultimately overseeing it all.
Painting & excerpt from “Glorious Refrains” by Thomas Kinkaid
Lovers of tramping are drawn to New Zealand’s numerous trails maintained by local Kiwis. The most difficult part is choosing from kauri forests, coastal panoramas, historical and archeological sites, bird and wildlife viewing, waterfalls and streams. So many choices, so little time. A few we ventured down on North Island were gotten to by car, but some were only accessible by boat.
- Quaint, historical Russell lies across the bay from Opua. This haven for wanderers, artists, and romantics was where Zane Grey wrote about its world-class sport-fishing. Sea excursions were offered via kayak, square rigger, or yacht. For trampies there was a 2.5-km walking track that began near the boat ramp on the Strand, leading to Flagstaff Hill. Follow a grassy path 1-km further north for Tapeka Point to an ancient pa-historical fort, and delight in views over the Bay of Islands.
2. Kerikeri Basin harbors a network of paths ranging from 10-minutes to 1-1/2 hours. We side-tied to a friendly local’s sailboat adjacent to the Stone Store and nearby Mission House. Built in the early 1830s, Wesleyan missionary, John Hobbs intended it to house mission supplies, but was mainly used as a kauri gum trading store. From the Store a 30-minute walk headed downstream to Kororipo pa. Or from the carpark a 1-1/2-hour riverside path led upstream to serene Rainbow Falls. We never minded the 1-1/2-mile trek through a forest of Norfolk & other pines, eucalyptus, and fern archways to the town grocery.
3. State Highway 12 on Northland’s west coast led toward Waipoua Kauri Forest and Trounson Kauri Conservation Park where various hikes wound along boardwalks, protecting the tree’s shallow root system. Some of the oldest and largest Kauris in the world grow here. Several tracks also led through native trees of Taraire, Kohekohe, and Towhai to waterfalls and panoramic views across sub-tropical rain-forest to the Tasman Sea. The illusive kiwi bird, forest parrots, kingfishers, and large kauri snails were among the varied wildlife. To gain a broader understanding of these majestic trees and their history, we visited the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. There’s a working steam sawmill, logging equipment, displays depicting how gum was collected and specimens of NZ amber, fine kauri furniture, carvings, and more.
4. The Maori named Great Barrier Island Aotea, which translates to White Cloud, appropriate for the secluded cove we nestled in off Port Fitzroy Harbor. Above forest-clad mountain ranges, white clouds often formed on peaks during the afternoon. The diverse eco-system was a refuge for rare species of birds and lizards among spectacular bluffs, bush, beaches, and wetlands. Hiking was superb on this wilderness island. One day we followed Kaiaraara stream to a series of cascading falls. Deep pools invited a cool swim. A loud fantail followed our trek, gobbling up insects we disturbed. Also spotted was the iridescent green native wood pigeon. Pausing during our 5-hour hike for a rain shower in a tramping hut, we read guest book notes from hikers around the world. The trail ended at a kauri dam built by early Europeans who exploited the land for lumber and other resources.
5. Special memories were made at North Cove on Kawau Island. During Russell’s Tall Ships race and dinner we had encountered cruising legend friends, Lin and Larry Pardey. We took them up on their invitation and anchored near their lovely home and large workshop for a week of celebrations and non-stop stories. A providential introduction to friend and editor of Sail Magazine led to my first published article.
Nearby Bon Accord Harbor offered a beautiful tramp to Mansion House with views of an old cement factory and copper mine ruins. Through brush we glimpsed darling wallabies and on the luxurious grounds peacocks strutted and chicken-sized brown wekas clucked accompanied by tuis, known for their mimicry and lively songs.
Of all the countries we’ve explored, I’d return to New Zealand in a heartbeat. It’s friendly folk, diverse natural beauty, and labyrinth of trails beckon both yachties and trampies. Here quiet paths and anchorages await every seeking soul.
He traveled light and often walked with no particular destination, because each inch of the path held answers and questions, the first step as rich as the last—from “John Muir, Nature’s Visionary “ by Gretel Ehrlich
cheryldfitzgerald.com 